Timothy W. Blakely
Tim is a partner in Morrison Foerster’s Securities Litigation and Investigations + White Collar Defense groups. His practice focuses on government and internal investigations and complex commercial litigation and international arbitration matters. He is the former managing partner of the Hong Kong office.
With more than 20 years of experience in the U.S. and Asia, Tim represents companies and individuals in complex dispute-related matters, including government and internal investigations, regulatory proceedings, securities class action lawsuits, international arbitrations, and other complex litigation mandates. He has represented multinational and Chinese clients in various industries, including telecommunications, biotechnology, publishing, pharmaceuticals, and financial services. Tim is a member of the firm’s FCPA + Global Anti-Corruption and Global Ethics + Compliance teams.
Tim has practiced in New York, California, and Hong Kong, handling fraud, misrepresentation, breach of contract, securities litigation, investment disputes, commercial arbitration, and enforcement-related matters – from inception through trial. His practice has a strong U.S. and Asia nexus, and he regularly advises clients facing cross-border disputes and enforcement actions, often involving the laws of multiple jurisdictions.
As a Hong Kong solicitor, Tim has been instructed by clients in key contentious proceedings and arbitration-related matters before Hong Kong courts (including the Court of First Instance, the Court of Appeal, and the Court of Final Appeal), as well in proceedings with Hong Kong regulators and statutory tribunals. He has advised clients in investigations by Hong Kong law enforcement regulators including the Securities & Futures Commission and the Customs & Excise Department, among others. He regularly acts for clients in Hong Kong-seated international arbitration proceedings.
Experience
Leading PRC-listed Chinese appliance manufacturer’s HKIAC arbitration
Represented a leading PRC-listed Chinese appliance manufacturer in HKIAC arbitration arising out of long-term distribution contract with Israeli company.
Fortune 100 financial services company’s Hong Kong and PRC court proceedings
Represented a Fortune 100 financial services company in Hong Kong and PRC court proceedings concerning challenges to an ICC arbitration award in US$500 million dispute.
Chinese investors’ international dispute
Represented Chinese investors in international dispute over ownership of China real estate project, with ongoing legal proceedings in the Caribbean, Hong Kong, and China.
Hong Kong and Chinese investors’ insider trading litigation by SEC
Represented Hong Kong and Chinese investors in insider trading litigation being prosecuted by the SEC in the Southern District of New York.
In re JDSU Securities Litigation
Fortune 500 company’s potential FCPA-related internal investigation
Represented a Fortune 500 company in internal investigation of potential FCPA-related issues related to transaction with Chinese SOE.
Hong Kong-based investment fund’s Hong Kong SFC investigation
Represented a Hong Kong-based investment fund in Hong Kong SFC investigation into alleged violations of the Securities and Futures Ordinance.
U.S.-listed Chinese company’s SEC and DOJ investigations
Represented a U.S.-listed Chinese company in SEC and DOJ investigations involving allegations of fraud and other potential violations of U.S. securities laws.
Fortune 500 corporation’s internal investigation
Represented a Fortune 500 corporation in internal investigation of whistleblower allegations of corruption in China and Hong Kong.
Hong Kong-listed Chinese company’s internal investigation
Represented a Hong Kong-listed Chinese company in internal investigation of potential violations of listing rules and policies concerning insider dealing.
Major multinational corporation’s pre-acquisition FCPA and anti-corruption DD
Represented a major multinational corporation in conducting pre-acquisition FCPA and anti-corruption due diligence for investment in Chinese retailer.
Leading investment fund’s pre-acquisition FCPA and anti-corruption due diligence
Represented a leading investment fund in conducting pre-acquisition FCPA and anti-corruption due diligence for acquisition of business with significant operations in China, Thailand, Japan, and Mexico; designed and implemented post-closing risk assessment and remediation program.
Fortune 500 corporation’s remediation, integration and training
Represented a Fortune 500 corporation in conducting remediation, integration, and training program for newly acquired China-based publishing business.
Major multinational corporation’s pre- and post-signing DD and remediation
Represented a major multinational corporation in connection with pre- and post-signing due diligence and remediation related to transfer to joint venture of business line with operations in Europe, China, Japan, and SE Asia.
Singapore-listed company’s pre-acquisition anti-corruption due diligence
Represented a Singapore-listed company in conducting pre-acquisition anti-corruption due diligence for acquisition of business in an emerging Latin American country; implemented post-closing training and remediation program in Asia and Latin America.
Rankings
Recommended for Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption: International Firms (China)
Chambers Global 2025
Recommended for Dispute Resolution Litigation: International Firms (China)
Chambers Global 2025
Recommended for Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption: International Firms (China)
Chambers Greater China Region 2026
Recommended for Dispute Resolution Litigation: International Firms (China)
Chambers Greater China Region 2026
Recommended for Dispute Resolution: Litigation: Foreign Firms (China)
Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026
Recommended for Regulatory/Compliance: Foreign Firms (China)
Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026
Recommended for Dispute Resolution: Litigation: Foreign Firms (Hong Kong)
Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026
Recommended for Regulatory: White Collar, Compliance and Investigations (Hong Kong)
Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026
Recommended for Intellectual Property: Foreign Firms (China)
Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026
Recommended for Intellectual Property (Hong Kong)
Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026
Recognized as a "Litigation Star" for White Collar Crime (Hong Kong)
Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2025
Recognized as a "Litigation Star" for Commercial and Transactions (Hong Kong)
Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2025
Named a "Thought Leader" in Investigations (Mainland China & Hong Kong SAR)
Lexology Index 2025
Named a "Thought Leader" in Investigations
Global Investigations Review (GIR) 2025
Recognized for continued pro bono efforts
The Law Society of Hong Kong’s Pro Bono and Community Work Recognition Program 2024